Owen let out a quick breath and placed his mouth on her neck, leaving slow kisses along her neckline. “There’s no sex during training, baby.”
Tegan let out a soft moan, scraping her fingers across the back of Owen’s head. “So stop turning me on, and tell me what you’re really doing here. Otherwise, I’ll ride that dick until sunrise.”
Owen paused for a minute before replying softly, “Can I sleep with you tonight?”
Tegan stopped teasing and turned around to face him, side on. “Why would you ask that?”
“I’ve always followed a routine before a fight. I’ve never actually shared a bed with someone the night before. If I want to beat this guy, I need to think about doing this differently.”
Tegan gave a non-believing huff. “Try again.”
Owen stroked her face, submitting to the truth. “I don’t want to be alone tonight. I’m afraid.”
“That’s better. Now, why are you afraid? Of getting hurt?”
“No. Of not being good enough. That, no matter what, that belt just doesn't belong to me. I can train hard, believe in myself, and if I lose, I lose. But there’s also this fear that after all of this build-up, I’m just not good enough.”
“If I tell you you’re good enough for me, will that be enough for you?”
“I’d like to think so. You make me happier than I’ve ever known. But the truth is I want this, Teegs. I want the championship. My whole life’s work has been building to this. To be the best. What if, after all is said and done, all this belief, all this hard work, is for nothing? I know I’ll never get another opportunity. This is it. One chance. One shot. If I’m not champion after this fight, what am I?”
Tegan hushed him and flipped him over, putting him on his back. “Mine, Goddammit. You’re going to be mine. I could tell you that it doesn’t matter to me if you win or not. I’ll love you no matter what, but you’re right. You need this. For you. Do what you have to do, and leave nothing to chance. This is your life’s work. You’re right. It is your only chance. So use it, baby. That’s one thing Diaz can’t understand. There is no tomorrow for you. No second chance. That makes you what?”
Owen slowly gripped the cheeks of her arse. “Unpredictable.”
She pulled his top up. “What else?”
“Desperate.”
She undid the cord of his pants and reached inside them. “What else?”
“Dangerous.”
Tegan grinned. His eyes blazed as she gripped him and slowly stroked. “Show me, baby.”
22
“Howdy,howdy, howdy, sports fans. Well, it’s here. Fight Night. Not just any fight night. Heavyweight Title Fight Night. The biggest prize in our industry is up for grabs as two of the best in the business go toe to toe. Good evening, John! How do you see this one going down?”
“Hello, indeed. Yes, coming to you live from Sydney, Australia in the first ever heavyweight title challenge by an Australian in Australia. Homebush Stadium is filled to capacity for this historic moment. As for my prediction, I gotta admit I’m torn. Before Gasnier’s last match, I would’ve said this match was too close to call. A match for the ages that could go either way. But, after having seen the beating he took, I sincerely doubt his team had time to correct the sloppiness that bogged him down in that match. I’m leaning towards agreeing with the betting agencies. This won’t end well for him.”
“Interesting point you bring up, John. Gasnier’s team. Fight fans know Team Gasnier has been a father and son dynamic from day one, but in the last few weeks they’ve added a new member. Perhaps it could be to address that sloppiness you mentioned?”
“Well, they would have to make history for that to be the case. I was looking her up just before. The young lady has no history with the organisation or the sport. She is a complete unknown. The only thing we do know is that she certainly isn’t intimidated by the Heavyweight Champion (laughs).”
“(Chuckles) No, she certainly wasn’t. I think we all will remember that press conference for years to come. So ultimately, you’ve cast your dice, John, and it’s landed on Diaz?”
“Yeah, I think if Gasnier, by some miracle, can get over the psychological beating he took last time in the Williams fight, the fans might be in for a good match. If he can’t, they better have an ambulance ready coz this will get ugly, ultra ugly. But either way the majority will leave here shattered. Diaz wins via knockout.”
“I dunno, John. Never discount the hometown boy is all I’ll say. Now we head down to floor level where Penny Kusto is at the ring. What’s the atmosphere like there, Penny?”
* * *
Owen held his hands up as Robert strapped his gloves on, focusing on Robert’s work, letting his mind clear. This was his method twenty minutes out from every fight. This time, though, there was a difference. He looked at Fiona, who had never left his side.
Owen held in a short breath and then let it out.
Robert had finished and straightened before Owen did the same. He placed his hands on Owen’s neck and pressed firmly, ensuring Owen looked at him. “Clear your mind. You can take him, but I will stop it if I have to. You understand?”